Kashmir BJP cadres jittery, several resign

5 BJP leaders have been killed in last two months

SRINAGAR: Grass-roots level BJP workers in the Valley are in a state of panic after targeted attacks on BJP leaders over the last two months, in which five leaders were killed. Around two dozen BJP workers have already resigned from their posts after the back-to-back attacks.

Fearing for their lives, several BJP workers have used social media and local newspapers to announce their disassociation from the party.

Five BJP leaders have been killed, one is injured and another was released unharmed by abductors over the last two months. As such most BJP leaders, especially those without security, are feeling scared.

“I Wali Mohammad Bhat S% Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R% Charesharief resign from the membership of the BJP party, right from today I have no concern with BJP,’’ reads a message posted by a BJP leader on social media.

Budgam district secretary Samir Ahmad Shiekh also announced his resignation with a similar message. “I resign from the membership of BJP. Right from today I have no contact with BJP,’’ he wrote.

BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur confirmed that many BJP leaders and workers have resigned after the attacks on the BJP workers in different parts of Kashmir.

“Most of party members or leaders who resigned had joined the party recently. They were scared and left the party or resigned,’’ he said, adding, “Many people from different parts of the Valley had joined the BJP over recent months after the party launched a membership drive. Around 2.5 lakh new members have joined the party in recent months.’’

The BJP leadership has already written to the party high command and the UT government demanding security for party workers and demanded secure accommodation in each district. “The police should work out a security plan the BJP leaders and workers as suggested by the party’s top leaders. In each district headquarter one secure building should be kept for BJP leaders and workers,’’ Thakur said.